Pleating means for fabrics



1NVENT0R ABE LEVINE.

ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet l A. LEVINE PLEATING MEANS FOR FABRICS May 4, 1965 Filed Nov. 19, 1962 United States Patent Ollice 3,181,597 izatented May 4, 1965 3,181,597 PLEATING MEANS FOR FABRICS Abe Levine, Brooklyn, NX., assignor of one-half to Gerald L. Berkin, Tokyo, Japan Filed Nov. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 238,512 2 Claims. (Cl. 16d-348) The invention relates generally to the art of pleating, and more particularly to a drapery or curtain structure.

Uniform distribution of drapery and curtain fullness is controlled either by providing regularly spaced pleats along the width of the drapery or curtain panel or by manually positioning individual hooks or rings along the supporting edges of such drapery or curtain panels for their suspension from curtain or drapery rods. Certain treatments of curtains and draperies provide for fullness distribution and rod suspension by the use of a pleated heading whereby a plurality of uniformly spaced attachment points are created `which are in turn connected to the `supporting curtain or drapery rod by means of rings or hooks which may be fastened to said attachment points in any of several conventional ways. Such designs are difficult and tedious to make and require particular care in laundering and ironing.

An important object of the present invention is to provide in a simple manner for automatically distributing drapery and curtain pleating fullness heretofore found impossible along a supporting rod and at the same time to create a new and pleasing effect of manipulating the fabric at the heading of drapery and curtain material.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a means by which there also may be provided a simulated pleated heading which is obtainable Without the difficulty and labor normally attendant upon the conventional methods of making such headings.

Another object is to provide an improved heading structure for a drapery or curtain panel wherein an enlarged heading hem is provided in the heading edge of the drapery or curtain panel and a pre-folded heading member is provided, the folds being such that the combined curtain and heading member will have the desired pleated appearance, such as that of a cafe curtain, drapery and the like.

Still another object is to provide a heading structure for a drapery or curtain panel, which is easy to fabricate, easy to maintain and launder, and which provides an enlarged body or flare effect in the heading edge of the drapery or curtain panel and permits the use of metal clamping devices which can be quickly and easily removed from the drapery or curtain panel for the purpose of laundering, storing and ironing the fabric.

Another object is to use the unit Without any auxiliary hardware, the unit being affixed to the fabric by sewing the fabric to the unit through the respective holes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention are to provide a pleated heading for a drapery or curtain panel or any other fabric which requires no sewing or adhesive, is completely reusable, conceals all hardware, needs no tools, needs no skill, needs no buckram stiffening members, can be used on all kinds of fabrics, is readily removed and attached, provides a better definition of pleats than heretofore available, is not permanently ailixed, is completely hidden so that it cannot be soiled, cannot pull apart, stores flat when not in use, is easily ironed and cleaned, is easily packed and shipped, is self-contained and permits easy change of design of pleat, provides a third-dimensional effect to the pleat so that pleat appears to be on outside of fabric, permits a back-tracking of fabric whereby extra fullness in pleat is provided, the backtracking carrying the pleat down the length of the fabric, provides for the three-dimensional effect, can be used on all existing traverse rods, poles, cafe rods now on the market, wherein all pleats are exactly alike, adaptable for all kinds of fabric panels, adaptable to make a double fold or triple fold using the same unit, can be marketed in the form of a single sheet with several units thereon, can be marketed in long strips and cut as needed at job, or in individual units, the pleats always falling symmetrically whether drape is in an open, closed or inbetween position.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a heading structure of a drapery panel embodying the invention and shown mounted upon a drapery rod.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan View of the heading structure, parts being broken away.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a finished pleat, parts being shown broken away.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the insert in atwise condition.

FIG. 9 is a perspective View of the insert of FIG. 8 in partly folded condition.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a fastening element, showing the element in bent operative position.

FIG. l1 is a side elevational View of a pin used with the heading structure.

FIG. 12 is a side elevatonal view of a supporting hook used with the heading structure.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a modiiied form of supporting hook used with the heading structure.

FIG. 14 is a View similar to FIG. 6 of a pleat assembly embodying a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of a pleat assembly embodying another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational View of a modied form of pin used with the pleat assembly.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. l a fragment o-f a drapery heading embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral Ill and is shown mounted on a supporting rod 12. The heading It) comprises a drapery panel 14 which is preferably formed of a fabric material. The panel 14 is shown as provided with a relatively wide hem 16 adjacent to its heading edge 18, which hem provides an elongated llat sleeve or pocket 20, but the hem may be omitted. The hem 16 may be provided in a substantially conventional manner by folding over a portion of the body of the panel material adjacent to an edge thereof and then stitching such portion along the line 22 to the remainder of the panel. The hem 16 may also 'be left folded without stitching, or may be glued, or a heat sensitive tape may be used. The device will work equally Well wit-hout a hem.

In accordance with the invention, a series of spaced pleat assemblies 24 are formed at spaced intervals along the heading 10. Each pleat assembly includes a pleat forming strip 3l) of relatively stiff material such, for example, as paper or buckram, or metal or plastic. Preferably such strip is made of any desired width. On the strip there is provided a plurality of .scored lines 32 which are arranged transversely of said strip and extend from one longitudinal edge to the other longitudinal edge, said Vover the legs 56 of the brad yor pin.

Y lines 32 designating fold lines along which said. strip is to be bent or folded. The fold lines 32 are parallel to each other and may be equally spaced or not as desired, the distances between said fold lines determining the Width and spacing of the pleats to be formed. The larger or smaller the spacing of all sides will increase or decrease the fullness of the pleat assembly. All scored lines 32 should fold both waysY or only one way, as Vdesired.

It will be understood that the pleat forming strip Si? may be made in various lengths and widths with the fold lines provided thereon at any desired predetermined equalor unequal spacing to form pleat assemblies of any de- I sired size and number. Thus in the form of strip shown in FIG. 8, the fold lines 32 are arranged to form a pre.-

determined number of pleat assemblies with said assem blies spaced apart a predetermined distance. In the form of strip 30 shown inFlG. 8, the fold lines 32 areequally spaced apart throughout the entire length o'fsaid strip.

prising the faces 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 adapted to be brought into contact with each other. The faces of the strip formed by the fold lines, except the outer Vfaces 4@ and 50, are formed with a top row of aligned holes 52 and with a bottom row of aligned holes S4. In view of the stiifness of the strip 30, the location of the fold lines 32 are readily ascertainable, the strip folding naturally and with ease and'autornatically at said fold lines. Y

In use, the strip 30, whichY has both sides roughened 4similar to sandpaper so that when'the fabric comes into Contact with the unit it does not slide and is more controllable, is placed iatwise on the inner Vsurface of the Vfabric to be pleated. Thus, for example, where it is" desired to provide pleat assemblies such as the pleat assemblies 24 of FIG. 1, the strip 3i) is attached to the inside of the fabric comprising thedra-pery panel'li. at that portion thereof where it is desiredV to form the pleats; The strip 30 then functions as a guide in forming the pleats as by bending the strip along its fold lines. VThe fabric of the panel 14 will be folded by squeezing the folds together and the fabric will be clamped to the unit by insertion of the legs S6 of a U-sliapedrbrad or pin 58 through the holes 52 and 54 in the intermediate faces and through the fabric of the panel and then bending The intermediate faces 42, 44, 46, 48 with fabric are thus secured to each other in partly folded condition.

The outer faces 40 and 50 of the strip with fabric between them are then folded inwardly against the adjacent into the fabric.

portion 72 opening downwardly. Hooks 68', substantially S-shaped, with one end bifurcated forming prongs 70', shownin FIG. 13, may also be used and inserted The drapery panel 10 is now ready to be mounted upon a supporting drapery rod, such asthe rod 12. f

The strip 30 therefore .serves not only to provide predetermined bends Vand folds in the fabric of the drapery panel i0, but also to strengthen that portion of the drapery panel it) adjacent to the headingof said panel.

f 'When it is desired to launder the drapery panel 10, the hook devices 68 are first removed Vfrom the panel after which the bobby type pins 64 are removed by merely withdrawing lthem from the outer loops 60, 60. Next the U-shaped Vbrad or pin 58l is removed. The pleats 24 can then be unfolded and the strip 30 readily removed.

VIn FIG. 14, a modified form of pleat assembly 24.is shown. In Vthis form, only two pleats 24' are formed as distinguished from three pleats as shown in FIGS. l and 6.

In all otherrespects the pleat assembly is similar :to the that one individual pleat canrbe attached to (the fabric while the drape is on the rod at the window, if necessary. Furthermore, a thicker or thinner unit will affect the fullness of the pleat. It is also understood that a unit may belformed on the bottom of the fabric in order to weigh thepleat down.

Whilel have illustrated and( described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made Within the scope of the invention asV defined in the appended claims. y

Y Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a drapery pleat construction, a drape, a rectangular form of relatively stiif foldable material applied to a portion of the rear surface of said drape at the upper end thereof, said form having a plurality of spaced parallel vertically disposed pre-scoredV fold lines defining a pair of f ends panels and a pair ofV intermediate panels, apertures in faces 42 and 48, respectively, forming outer folds or loops 60, 60. This inward folding of the fabric causesy the pleats to fall straight down the entire length of the fabric and to cause the Vthree-dimensional eect. In addition, the inward or backtracking of the fabric conceals the U-sha-ped brad orV pin 58. The legs 62, 62 of an elongatedbobiby pin 64 are then inserted betweenV or into to -form an assembly of three pleats as indicated at Zliiny FIG. 1.

Hook` devices 68 shown in detail in FIG. 12L are removably secured to the fabric o-f the panel adjacent the' pleat assemblies 24 in the rear of the drape, in a vertically disposed arrangement, the pin-pointed base 70 of the hook being inserted into the fabric with therhook Varid'back out of the Vapplying a rectangular form said panels, said panels and the said drape section applied Ithereto being folded accordion fashion along said fold lines, said end panels and the intermediate panels connected thereto providing a pair of rearwardly facing reentrant end angles and the connected intermediate panels providing an Vintermediate forwardly facing connecting reentrant angle, the section of said drape at each end of said form being folded'back and fonth upon itself into y adjacent reentrant end angle to form a pair of inner loops within said reentrant end angles and a pair of outer loops at the free ends ofsaid end panels, horizontally disposed securing means extending from inner loop to inner loop through Asaid panel apertures for maintaining said drape in folded condition, and a vertically disposed U-shaped spring clip having the legs thereof extending downwardly into said outer loops for maintaining the looped sections ofA said drape at each end of said form in firm contact with each other. v

2. The method of forming a drapery pleat comprising; y Vof relatively stiff foldable material having a plurality of spaced parallel vertically Ydisposed pre-scored fold lines defining a pair of end panels anda pair of intermediate panels to a portion of fthe Y lrear surface of a `drape -at Ithe upper end thereof; folding said form and the drapery portion applied thereto along said fold lines accordion fashion to provide a pair of rearwardly facing reentrant end angles and a forwardly facing connecting intermediate reentrant angle; folding the portions of said drape at each end of said form back and forth upon itself into and out of the adjacent reentrant end angle to provide a pair of inner loops within said reentrant end angles and a pair of outer loops at the free ends of said end panels; inserting a securing means from inner loop to inner loop horizontally through aligned apertures in said intermediate panels to thereby maintain said drape and form in folded condition; tand then inserting the legs of a U-shaped spring clip downwardly into said outer loops to thereby maintain the outer looped portions of said drape in firm Contact with each other.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A DRAPERY PLEAT CONSTRUCTION, A DRAPE, A RECTANGULAR FORM OF RELATIVELY STIFF FOLDABLE MATERIAL APPLIED TO A PORTION OF THE REAR SURFACE OF SAID DRAPE AT THE UPPER END THEREOF, SAID FORM HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED PARALLEL VERTICALLY DISPOSED PRE-SCORED FOLD LINES DEFINING A PAIR OF ENDS PANELS AND A PAIR OF INTERMEDIATE PANELS, APERTURES IN SAID PANELS, SAID PANELS AND THE SAID DRAPE SECTION APPLIED THERETO BEING FOLDED ACCORDION FASHION ALONG SAID FOLD LINES, SAID END PANELS AND THE INTERMEDIATE PANELS CONNECTED THERETO PROVIDING A PAIR OF REARWARDLY FACING REENTRANT END ANGLES AND THE CONNECTED INTERMEDIATE PANELS PROVIDING AN INTERMEDIATE FORWARDLY FACING CONNECTING REENTRANT ANGLE, THE SECTION OF SAID DRAPE AT EACH END OF SAID FORM BEING FOLDED BACK AND FORTH UPON ITSELF INTO AND BACK OUT OF THE ADJACENT REENTRANT END ANGLE TO FORM A PAIR OF OUTER LOOPS WITHIN SAID REENTRANT END ANGLES AND A PAIR OF OUTER LOOPS AT THE FREE ENDS OF SAID END PANELS, HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SECURING MEANS EXTENDING FROM INNER LOOP TO INNER LOOP THROUGH SAID PANEL APERTURES FOR MAINTAINING SAID DRAPE IN FOLDED CONDITION, AND A VERTICALLY DISPOSED U-SHAPED SPRING CLIP HAVING THE LEGS THEREOF EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID OUTER LOOPS FOR MAINTAINING THE LOOPED SECTIONS OF SAID DRAPE AT EACH END OF SAID FORM IN FIRM CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. 